Saturday 12 November 2016 13:43, UK
Martin O'Neill has joked that he will eventually phone Everton manager Ronald Koeman about James McCarthy - but he is behind Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton on his call list.
The Republic of Ireland boss was in a typically mischievous mood ahead of Saturday's World Cup qualifier in Austria, but he struck a serious tone in trying to end an apparent spat between his camp and Everton over McCarthy's fitness.
The midfielder withdrew from the Ireland squad because of a hamstring injury, inciting O'Neill's assistant Roy Keane to criticise the Toffees over their handling of players.
And O'Neill said on Friday: "(Ronald) would join my 'to-call list' but I should first put a call into Donald Trump to congratulate him, and then give my commiserations to Hillary Clinton.
"Then somewhere down the line, Koeman, yes. There is also the possibility that someone might call me, no?
"It was a continuation (of the argument) at the time but I seriously think it's over now as far as we're concerned. Just let us move on.
"I put James into a provisional squad because he thought that he might get through. It was always the probability that he wouldn't make it and, because it's a hamstring, I wouldn't really want to risk him.
"But the other time that he played before, he had recovered from the injury and the point was made that he was in Everton's squad a few days later.
"As far as I'm concerned it's all over, and I'm hoping that James is available again come March time.
"I don't think players get caught in that trap at all and I don't think it would be right for them to be caught between their club and country."
